Gronze Stage 38B - Cea to O Castro (Dozon)

[Kev&Kath]

Again, a question for those that have walked the Sanabres - the stage from Cea to O Castro (Dozon) has an alternate route via Oseira. According to Gronze the alternate is only a couple of kilometers longer. Which did you take?

 

[jungleboy]

We chose the Oseira route, to visit/stay at the monastery, and that's what almost everyone did the day we did it. I don't know if anything has changed but there was no accommodation in O Castro (Dozon) in 2022 as the albergue was closed for non-Covid reasons. So we did a short day from Cea to the monastery and stayed there, and then went to Botos the next day, staying at the Taberna de Vento.

 

[geraldkelly]

I've walked both routes. As @jungleboy says, Castro Dozon is currently closed but due to reopen some time this year. Oseira is interesting and has a new Xunta albergue. I walked it once from Ourense, longish day but doable.

Cea to Castro Dozon direct is 14.6km, through Oseira it's 19km.

All the places with pilgrim hostels / albergues on the Vía de la Plata

All the places with pilgrim hostels / albergues on the Vía de la Plata

www.viadelaplataguide.net

 

[El Cascayal]

I also went to Mosteiro Santa María de Oseira. It is a very short and pleasant walk from Cea. The monastery has been restored and there is a tour. There are spectacular columns. The Trappist monks are very hospitable. A brand new Albergue opened in 2022. Two bars in town. When I walked there in June 2021, there was a freak heat wave, here nestled in the mountains it was cool. Totally worth visiting.

 

[Elle Bieling]

Yes, take the route to Oseira, with the option of going on. We enjoyed the monastery very much. We did walk on all the way to Estación de Lalín but it was very long. The Roman roads you will walk on in both sections, while rough, are esthetically very pleasing! You can have a look at our walk here: https://www.pilgrimagetraveler.com/camino-sanabres-cea-to-estacion-de-lalin.html

 

[Nick MJ]

I’ve done both routes and if this was my first time, I’d do as others have suggested and go via Oseira. The other route is fine but the monastery is definitely one of the highlights of the Sanabres.

 

[Tandem Graham]

The new albergue at Oseira is purpose built and excellent! In Spring 2022, there weren't many affordable food options nearby, so take some ingredients for dinner!

 

[Ernie Fraser]

Again, a question for those that have walked the Sanabres - the stage from Cea to O Castro (Dozon) has an alternate route via Oseira. According to Gronze the alternate is only a couple of kilometers longer. Which did you take?

Walked the route through Oseira. The monastery there is a great piece of history. It’s well worth the few extra km.

 

[Blister Bill]

Bit of a no brainer. The walk to Oseira is nice and the impressive monastery just appears in a lovely setting. The walk to Dozon out of the monastery valley and down and out of the next one is also really lovely especially if accompanied by the local big black guide dog ! We had trouble with accommodation and decided to walk slightly off track to Lalin which was a good option to keep up your sleeve if you have accommodation issues. (Thanks ozannie)

 

[Kev&Kath]

Bit of a no brainer. The walk to Oseira is nice and the impressive monastery just appears in a lovely setting. The walk to Dozon out of the monastery valley and down and out of the next one is also really lovely especially if accompanied by the local big black guide dog ! We had trouble with accommodation and decided to walk slightly off track to Lalin which was a good option to keep up your sleeve if you have accommodation issues. (Thanks ozannie)

Again..you provide great advice. Much appreciated! We took the Samos alternate on the Frances...and very much enjoyed our aftrnoon tour, and evening Mass, at the monastery.

 

[Kev&Kath]

Walked the route through Oseira. The monastery there is a great piece of history. It’s well worth the few extra km.

Ernie...definitely thinking that way now. I wasn't sure what the terrain was like on that alternate to the monastery, but not reading any alarm bells on the route from your, and others, comments. Looking forward to the 'detour'.

 

[Kev&Kath]

The new albergue at Oseira is purpose built and excellent! In Spring 2022, there weren't many affordable food options nearby, so take some ingredients for dinner!

Thanks Tandem...noted on the rations advice!

 

[Kev&Kath]

I’ve done both routes and if this was my first time, I’d do as others have suggested and go via Oseira. The other route is fine but the monastery is definitely one of the highlights of the Sanabres.

Nick thanks for that. It is our first time on the Sanabres...so Oseira it is! Cheers.

 

[Kev&Kath]

Yes, take the route to Oseira, with the option of going on. We enjoyed the monastery very much. We did walk on all the way to Estación de Lalín but it was very long. The Roman roads you will walk on in both sections, while rough, are esthetically very pleasing! You can have a look at our walk here: https://www.pilgrimagetraveler.com/camino-sanabres-cea-to-estacion-de-lalin.html

Thanks so much Elle. Your advice certainly mirrors those that have kindly responded. Oh..btw...I'm quite enjoying your 'Spiritual Journey...' writings. Really appreciate you taking the time to include. Its a good read, with lots of info for the novice!!

 

[Kev&Kath]

I also went to Mosteiro Santa María de Oseira. It is a very short and pleasant walk from Cea. The monastery has been restored and there is a tour. There are spectacular columns. The Trappist monks are very hospitable. A brand new Albergue opened in 2022. Two bars in town. When I walked there in June 2021, there was a freak heat wave, here nestled in the mountains it was cool. Totally worth visiting.

El thank you! The Oseira monastery is sounding like a real highlight of the Sanabres. I'm very happy I asked the question. Hopefully, we avoid any weather that might be described as 'freak' lol. God willing, and if our schedule holds to plan, we'll be in the area very late May this year, so sort of planning of weather to the warmer side of the scale. Thanks again for your advice....and a peek at the monastery. Great pics!

 

[Kev&Kath]

I've walked both routes. As @jungleboy says, Castro Dozon is currently closed but due to reopen some time this year. Oseira is interesting and has a new Xunta albergue. I walked it once from Ourense, longish day but doable.

Cea to Castro Dozon direct is 14.6km, through Oseira it's 19km.

All the places with pilgrim hostels / albergues on the Vía de la Plata

All the places with pilgrim hostels / albergues on the Vía de la Plata

www.viadelaplataguide.net

Thanks Gerald. The consensus of responses clearly points to the value of a trip to Oseira - particularly - as you point out - the impost in extra kms is not that great. Thanks again for taking the time to advise. Cheers.

 

[Kev&Kath]

We chose the Oseira route, to visit/stay at the monastery, and that's what almost everyone did the day we did it. I don't know if anything has changed but there was no accommodation in O Castro (Dozon) in 2022 as the albergue was closed for non-Covid reasons. So we did a short day from Cea to the monastery and stayed there, and then went to Botos the next day, staying at the Taberna de Vento.

Thank you jungleboy - response really appreciated, and I suspect we'll be following the same route after a night in Cea. We're quite flexible on accommodation outcomes, so quite happy to see the options you've highlighted. Cheers!

 

[Ernie Fraser]

Ernie...definitely thinking that way now. I wasn't sure what the terrain was like on that alternate to the monastery, but not reading any alarm bells on the route from your, and others, comments. Looking forward to the 'detour'.

It’s a bit of elevation leaving from Oseira but not for a long distance.

 

[Kev&Kath]

It’s a bit of elevation leaving from Oseira but not for a long distance.

Thanks Ernie...good to know. Cheers.

 

[El Cascayal]

As if you need any further encouragement to visit Oseira…couldn’t resist posting the sello from the monastery. Do any of you have a picture of the sello from the new Albergue?